Starting at 6:00 PM on August 14, the 19th match between Orix Buffaloes and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham will take place at Kyocera Dome Osaka.

[Head-to-Head Record] Orix Buffaloes (4th place) vs. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham (3rd place): 12 wins, 6 losses

[Announced Starting Pitchers]
Orix Buffaloes: Yasuto Takashima (pitcher: 16 games, 4 wins, 3 losses; ERA: 3.95 ERA)
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham: Kota Tatsu, pitcher (21 games, 3-6), ERA, 3.16

Orix Buffaloes Starter Yasuto Takashima pitcher allowed the opposing team to take the lead in the middle of his last start (on the 2nd against the Saitama Seibu Lions), finishing with 6 innings, 103 pitches, 8 hit 1 Walk 4 strike out 3 runs. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham In his previous matchup against this opponent, he pitched 3.1 innings, threw 84 pitches, and recorded 10 hit 1 Walk 5 strike out 5 runs (earned runs 3). His ERA ERA against this opponent is 4.32, indicating he has struggled. He hopes to redeem himself with a strong performance in this game.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham He Kota Tatsu pitcher is scheduled to start. In his last start (on the 7th against Tohoku Rakuten Eagles), although he didn’t earn the win, he pitched well, going 7 innings with 109 pitches, 6 hit 2 walks Hit by Pitch 7 strike out 2 runs. He started the season as a starter but was temporarily moved to the bullpen reliever.He returned to the starting rotation at the end of July and has recorded a quality start in both of his appearances since his return. He aims to help the team climb to second place with his strong pitching.

Text by Aoi Nemoto